The Indians of the Plains & Plateau wore the basic
hard-sole type moccasin, of which this high top moccasin,
or boot, is a variation & very popular on the Southern
Plains & in the southwest. The rawhide sole was developed
out of necessity as protections from the hard & often
rocky ground of the prairie and desert that was their
home. Normally constructed of soft tanned buckskin or elk
uppers & leggings and supple, but tough, rawhide soles,
they represent the most highly refined form of Native
American footwear ever developed. Today they remain a
popular style of boot-moccasin and are comfortable and
durable for dancing, camping or everyday wear.

Many styles of construction, decoration and other subtle
variations such as beadwork patterns, exist from tribe to
tribe. Many times these subtle differences even existed
within the same tribe, but between various craft workers.
Since the Cheyenne moccasin makers have for years been
the acknowledged masters of the art, we have chosen to
present techniques of construction that are typically
Cheyenne, while also covering styles worn by the Kiowa,
Comanche & Arapaho. A similar type of footwear is also
popular on the Northern Plains among tribes such as the
Crow; however, this is a different style and is not
covered in this pattern. Developed by Nellie Stevens,
Barry Hardin, and Carl Jennings.